Works Progress Administration (WPA) Sites

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) managed an adult education program in Rochester, New Hampshire during the Great Depression. The program replaced a similar one that had been locally organized and funded. A somewhat disdainful attitude toward federal assistance is typified by this addition to the school report by the City of Rochester School Board. "ADULT EDUCATION Contrary to our plans of last year we have again organized adult classes under W. P. A. The work is devoted wholly to preparation for citizenship to meet the needs of about seventy residents of this city. Both afternoon and evening classes have been organized to serve...

"By January, 1937, the Works Progress Administration had supervised the painting of one hundred and eight town markers, airport symbols, and meridian markers throughout Maine." (Marker is for the capital of Maine, but work was spread throughout the state)

Originally constructed as Public School 27 (P.S. 27) in Red Hook, Brooklyn by the federal Work Projects Administration. The school was described by the WPA in 1940: "Will serve the Red Hook Housing Project, was completed in June, 1940. A three-story U-shaped building of colonial design of red brick with granite base and limestone trimmings. Replaces a school built in 1869. Features include a playroom 130 feet by 30 feet, lunch room and kitchen, 22 air-conditioned class rooms, each seating 42 pupils. Radio equipment will pick up the Board of Education's proposed ultra high frequency programs and the regular broadcase programs...

The single-story stone building was constructed by the WPA in 1940. It is of native stone veneer, quarried from the George Keck farm north of Berryville (Story, 1992). It is in the Plain Traditional style.

Between 1935 and 1943, the Ah-Gwah-Ching (“out of doors” in Ojibwe) sanitarium housed “more the 160 items including prints, watercolors, oils and woodcarvings by such artists as Bob Brown, Henry Bukowski, Reathel Keppen, Dorothea Lau, Alexander Oja and Bennet Swanson,” all created through the Works Progress Administration (WPA). When the sanitarium, which opened in 1907 to treat tuberculosis, closed in 2008, the Minnesota Historical Society became the steward of many of these artworks. They now comprise the Ah-Gwah-Ching Archive, much of which can be viewed through this page of the Minnesota Historical Society.

The W.P.A. developed what is now known as Belfast Municipal Airport, in Belfast, Maine. W.P.A. project info: "Construct municipal airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐11‐120 Total project cost: $1,020,780.00 Sponsor: City of Belfast

The Works Progress Administration (WPA), in conjunction with the War Department, developed Beverly Airport in Massachusetts. WPA project details: "Construct municipal airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐14‐265 Total project cost: $168,866.00 Sponsor: War Department "Construct runways at airport" Official Project Number: 265‐1‐14‐50 Total project cost: $376,440.00 Sponsor: Mayor, City of Beverly

The Works Progress Administration (WPA), in conjunction with the War Department, developed Fitchburg Airport in Massachusetts. WPA project details (referred to as 'Leominster'): "Improve municipal airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐14‐260 Total project cost: $121,270.00 Sponsor: War Department "Make improvements to airport" Total project cost: $149,270.00 Sponsor: Mayor and Public Works Department "Improve airport" Official Project Number: 265‐1‐14‐59 Total project cost: $509,980.00 Sponsor: Public Works Department

The W.P.A. worked to develop what is now known as Havre City County Airport, in Havre, Montana. W.P.A. project info: “Develop and improve airport” Official Project Number: 265‐1‐91‐58 Total project cost: $522,520.00 Sponsor: City of Havre and Hill County

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) developed Mackinac Island's airport, originally a "simple grass runway."

"Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs helped the community... Additional aid came when the Works Progress Administration provided funds that ... developed the airport ..." The airport in question is unclear to Living New Deal.  A good candidate, the public Ralph Wenz Airport, was established during the 1940s according to the town's website.

From the Pittsfield Historical Society: One project that had far-reaching importance to Pittsfield was the construction of an airport. Mr. McDonough was an old baseball player and he urged many of the towns to build baseball fields. Our officials preferred and strongly recommended an airport and after several meetings in Augusta, a grant of $25,000 was made to Pittsfield for the survey and initial construction of two runways. Administrator Badger appointed Ralph Cianchette Foreman and work was started. As a result of this decision, Pittsfield was later designated an official landing field on the first Maine airway map, and when...

The W.P.A. worked to develop what is now known as Princeton Municipal Airport, in Princeton, Maine. W.P.A. project info: "Improvements to airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐11‐52 Total project cost: $358,036.00 Sponsor: War Department "Make improvements to municipal airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐11‐61 Total project cost: $417,070.00 Sponsor: Town of Princeton

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) aided in the construction of Raton Municipal Airport. Official Project Number: 265‐1‐85‐63 Project cost: $265,565.00 Sponsor: City of Raton

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) aided in the development of what is now Tucumcari Municipal Airport. Official Project Number: 165‐1‐85‐164

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor worked to develop Turners Falls Airport.

Tennessee Encyclopedia: "Some of Tennessee's largest WPA projects reflected the arrival of the age of flight. WPA workers helped complete landing fields and airports at Jellico, Cookeville, Lebanon, Jackson, and Milan." The location of the facility, which has long closed, is difficult to discern, as the airport is not recorded on readily accessible topographic maps (the early ones predate the site and the 1954 topographic and 1951 aerials show development along the reported site). It appears the Jellico Aero Club was in existence by 1921 owned 60 acres of ideal field, with hangars and gas listed in the Flying Guide and Log...

Multiple New Deal agencies worked to develop a former municipal airport in Farmington, Maine. The Farmington airport was initially a FERA/MERA project as part of a state wide airport building program. It was built as a North/South 2000x100' graded runway, open about June 15, 1934. W.P.A. project info: "Construct municipal airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐11‐97 Total project cost: $622,000.00 Sponsor: Town of Farmington

The W.P.A. developed a former municipal airport in Van Buren, Maine. The location of this facility is unknown to Living New Deal.. W.P.A. project info: "Construct municipal airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐11‐103 Total project cost: $950,000.00 Sponsor: Town of Van Buren

The W.P.A. developed the former Fort Kent Municipal Airport. W.P.A. project info: "Construct Fort Kent Municipal Airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐11‐99 Total project cost: $486,000.00 Sponsor: Town of Fort Kent As of 2023, this airfield is in use. It was abandoned up until about 2019. While the field was abandoned, there were no facilities and only a dilapidated shed that had been used by a crop dusting company. The owners have started rebuilding the field and expect to have the field in good enough condition for the FAA to designate it as an emergency backup field.  The grass runway is now 2450’ x 85’ and is clear...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked to improve a municipal airport for Worcester, Mass. It is unclear whether this site is what is now Worcester Regional Airport, or a since-eliminated facility in North Grafton, Mass. Living New Deal suspects that it's the latter facility , given as Worcester Regional Airport construction is said to have not started until 1944; at that point in time the WPA had been liquidated. WPA project details: "Improve airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐14‐486 Total project cost: $262,563.00 Sponsor: Mayor, City of Worcester

The W.P.A. helped to develop what was then known as the Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton airport, now Lehigh Valley International Airport. Wikipedia: "The airport hangar served as the passenger terminal; the first terminal building at the airport was built in 1938 as a Works Projects Administration (WPA) project."

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted a development / improvement program at what is now known Claremont Municipal Airport. "Develop and improve municipal airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐13‐18 Total project cost: $118,235.00 Sponsor: War Department "Improve airport" Official Project Number: 265‐1‐13‐13 Total project cost: $101,719.00 Sponsor: Town Board of Selectmen "Develop airport" Official Project Number: 265‐1‐13‐2 Total project cost: $93,979.00 Sponsor: Town Board of Selectmen

The W.P.A. worked to develop what is now known as Helena Regional Airport, in Helena, Montana. W.P.A. project info: "Improve municipal airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐91‐168 Total project cost: $201,345.00 Sponsor: City of Helena "Improve municipal airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐91‐71 Total project cost: $169,951.00 Sponsor: City of Helena

The W.P.A. worked to develop what is now known as Missoula International Airport, in Montana. W.P.A. project info: "Develop and improve airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐91‐34 Total project cost: $928,324.00 Sponsor: Missoula County

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted work at what is now North Platte Regional Airport. "Project 996" involved "levelling land" at the airport.

The W.P.A. worked to improve what is now known as Billings Logan International Airport, in Montana. W.P.A. project info: “Make improvements to municipal airport” Official Project Number: 165‐1‐91‐66 Total project cost: $295,767.00 Sponsor: City of Billings

The Works Progress Administration contributed $2,306 toward the construction of the airfied in Cordova, Alaska. Formerly operating as the Cordova Army Airfield, the airfield was subsequently closed. The airfield was redeveloped and today serves as the state-owned, public-use Cordova Municipal Airport.

Multiple New Deal agencies are cited as having contributed to the development of Akron Falls Park, including the C.W.A. and the W.P.A. "The Civil Works Administration ... initiated the development of Akron Falls. They hired 90 men to develop the park and each received a minimum of $15.00 per week."  

The Works Progress Administration made improvements to the road system in Dallas County. "Improve county-owned road from Orrville to the Wilcox County line in Dallas County, including excavating; clearing and grubbing; grading; draining; dressing shoulders and slopes; constructing base; surfacing; and performing appurtenant and incidental work. Project also includes the operation of borrow pits to produce materials for use on this project. This road is a part of the Federal Aid Highway System. In addition to projects specifically approved." According to a WPA job card, the application was November 1, 1938, approved Nov. 17th, federal manhours added up to 267,120,...

Al Krueger Field, located at the EOT County Fairgrounds in Perham, Minnesota, was originally constructed as a federal Works Progress Administration project during the Great Depression. The original structure was torn down in 2012 and replaced; the site is now known as Al Kreuger Field at Tuffy Stadium.

The Works Progress Administration built facilities for the Alabama Boys Industrial School in Roebuck, a neighborhood of Birmingham, Jefferson County. The facilities included a dining hall and a heating plant. The present condition of the structure is unknown to the Living New Deal.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built dormitories for the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University).

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built an Outdoor Amphitheater for the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University). The amphitheater was built for the Agricultural Training camp. Granite cobblestones retrieved after the WPA paved the streets of Montgomery were used for the structure.  

The Works Progress Administration built a swimming pool for the former State Training School for Girls in Chalkville, Alabama, near Birmingham.

The Works Progress Administration built a total of five buildings for the State Training School for Girls in Chalkville, near Birmingham. The facilities included an administration building, hospital, clinic, and a swimming pool. The estimated federal cost was $179,072.00. The exact location and condition of the structure is unknown to the Living New Deal.

Among the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects identified as completed in an El Paso Times article from June 7, 1936 was the "paving of Alabama Street and Wilson road, 7.36 miles, cost $31,588.94," as well as "Alabama Street spillway flood control project. $6408.23."

The former main entrance on the east side of the Alameda County Courthouse leads to an elegant lobby flanked by stairways and two large murals made of inlaid marble backed with gold and silver leaf.   The murals, which measure 10 x 30 feet, were designed by Marian Simpson and sculpted by Gaetano Duccini.  They were paid for by the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). One is called "Exploration" and depicts the Native American and Hispanic history of Alameda County.  The other is called "Settling of California" and portrays the arrival of Anglo frontier settlers.  That entrance and lobby is...

San Antonio's historic Alamo Stadium was constructed at/near the site of an abandoned rock quarry by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1938-40. The facility was dedicated September 20, 1940. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a much loved place for many San Antonians who grew up here. In 2013 Alamo Stadium underwent a $35 million renovation which restored the facades, including plaques and markers.

Alamo Stadium was built by the WPA in 1940. In 1941 four tile murals, entitled 100 Years of Sports in San Antonio, Texas, 1840-1940, were installed above the main entrance to the stadium; this project was under the auspices of the WPA Arts and Crafts program. The stadium recently underwent an extensive restoration/renovation program. The murals were removed and then reinstalled in their original location. The following description is from the NRHP nomination form: "To enhance the stadium, Ethel Wilson Harris, supervisor of the WPA Arts and Crafts Division in San Antonio, undertook her program’s largest project to date. The work was...